Weekend, yay!

Looking forward to a fun, relaxing weekend.

 

Dr. Seuss party at the library is our entertainment for this afternoon.

 

After a pizza dinner (I just like pizza on Fridays), the kids get to watch a movie while I shop for Noah's birthday party that he is having tomorrow.

Fun Friday!

Frustration and Tiredness

Frustration and tiredness go hand in hand.

I woke up at 5:00a.m. this morning and couldn't fall back asleep.

I tried to upload pictures to my blog and it was a "no go."

After 3 failed attempts with Daddy's help to fix the computer, I gave up.

One of these days I'll upload some pictures.

Can you tell I'm just a "wee" bit tired? ;)

 

So I've had to work closely with Hiram to make sure he accomplishes his responsibilities honestly.

The homework part we have down fairly well.

He does it right after school like always.

Getting his 20 minutes of reading time can be a chore if he doesn't have a book that interests him, which happens fairly often.

Piano practicing, oh, piano!

So I've had to sit with him while he practices to make sure he does it accurately and well.

He has to practice each piece 3 times, 2 times counting and 1 time words.

Tonight we made some headway.

 

And now for some relaxing time with "Leave It To Beaver," my new show I've taken a fancy too.

Blue and Gold Banquet

The blue and gold banquet for the scouts was tonight.

We had a fun time being resourceful and creating our own centerpieces.

 

 

Hiram earned his wolf badge tonight.

 

In honor of his achievement we painted his face to represent the hard work he has done. 

 

I feel so blessed to have a husband who is SOOOOO helpful.

He scrubbed, wrapped and baked the potatoes for our meal, and he helped serve the food.

 

Noah had fun at his last scout meeting as a bear.

Now he will move onto being a webelos next week.



Choir Concert

Joyanne had her choir concert tonight.

She sang beautifully and had a radiating smile up there.

All the kids enjoyed the concert, but Grant liked watching the band a lot too. 

Such a beautiful young lady this girl is turning out to be! 



Everyone was good until the end, when Grant took off running to the front of the auditorium, then threw a 2-year-old tantrum.

Baths and showers were quick and refreshing tonight.

Being a parent is difficult at times.

Sometimes you just feel like giving up or selling off the kids. ;)

But they also bring lots of happiness and joy.

Putting one foot in front of the other and carrying on and relying on diving help is the best way.

Roller Blading Fun

Noah asked Daddy to go roller blading and here he is.

Such a crazy, fun Dad!

He loves spending time with the kids, and they love spending time with him. 



A kid-filled fun, exhausting day for me.

Thanks to Daddy's help, I watched 4 more kids today for a neighbor.

We made it through the day and are off to bed early.

Codfish

I cooked codfish for dinner.

I have never eaten codfish before and neither had the kids.

James and Grant loved it so much and kept asking for more.

I just followed the recipe on the package.

I dipped the thawed codfish in egg whites and then Italian Breadcrumbs and Parmesan Cheese and baked it.

Yum! 

Planning surprises is so fun!

We have 3 birthdays in March and it's so fun to celebrate.

Happy Days!



Bored Boys

We had a calm, nice days, but the boys got bored pretty easily.

These boys surely like to go, go, go like their Mom and Dad. 

To entertain ourselves, they had fun posing for the camera. 

Not everyone was happy. 

But, eventually, even Jaden cheered up. 

Hiram didn't want to be classified as a "bored boy" and this is the only picture I could get of him, running away . . . 

Noah tried to hide at first. 

And he was a little grumpy I had found his hiding spot. 

He loves to sit behind the couch, on top of a big pile of blankets, and read. 

Daddy took the kids to the park before lunch.

While we didn't have lots to do today, we had fun being bored together.

Observing

These 2 hooligans were fun to play around with tonight.

We watched Sherlock Holmes together.

 

Daddy and I have been reading books about observing everything around us so we can draw conclusions.

 

The weather was beautiful today and the boys had fun blowing bubbles outside.

It is so nice to get out and feel the warm sunshine.

James' 5th Birthday

Happy Birthday, James!

Family time makes any birthday fun!

Here's our Captain America James.  Happy 5th Birthday!

James LOVED the mini-computer he wanted.

James and all the others had fun playing "Minion Operation".

James played his new computer a lot today and Hiram let Grant play his.

We love these cute mustache boys!  Oh, what chocolate can do for ya!

James was surprised with a lunch at McDonald's.  He's been wanting this for a LONG time.



He made a wish and blew out all the candles.



Look at Mommy's work with the cake!  Simple and definitely sweet. :)

What a very happy day!

We are so glad James is apart of our family.

Time to Relax

A nice relaxing day for Daddy.

He was able to read a lot, enjoy a nice lavender bath and watch some Sherlock Holmes.

 

Scouts was today.

Now I am over 2 new leaders and over the Bear and Wolf den.

I am still having fun and enjoying playing with these scouts.

Hiram asked today if scouts is all about playing games.

I told him scouts is fun!

Marco Polo

I came downstairs and found the kids playing Marco Polo.

The tagger closes their eyes and tries to tag someone.

The tagger calls "Marco!" and the others call "Polo!"



We went swimming this afternoon with all the other people in Vernal.

It was a crowded day at the pool.

Daddy was able to work 10 hours of overtime today.

$ Money for his honey. $

Just kidding! All this money will be going to pay for the "Bills". ;)

Sunday, Sunday

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

'Twas a normal Sunday.

We woke up, ate blueberry muffins, had a fruit drink.

The kids played around the house, I played the piano and got ready for church.

We ate grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for lunch.

Then off to church we went to learn more about Jesus Christ and how we can be like him.

Joyanne and I went to Stake Choir practice while the boys stayed home and cooked a Steak and potato dinner.

We have tried to do better with reading to our kids.

It seems like once they get old enough to read on their own that we, as parents, don't take the time to read to them.

So tonight Daddy started with a classic, "Old Yeller".

Happy Sunday!

Pierced Ears

Joyanne got her ears pierced today.

She looks beautiful.

Grant even liked looking and touching her cute, topaz earrings.

I love to sing and enjoyed rehearsing with the Uintah Basin Orchestra and Chorus today.

Our concert will be in March.

My voice was tired after 3 hours of singing.

The weather was gorgeous and warm.

The kids played outside for part of the morning and afternoon.

Noah even pulled out our picnic table and umbrella and we had lunch outdoors.

The kids rode their bikes and played in the mud and water.

Happy Valentines Day! I'm Back!

I'm back after 5 days of not being on here.

It was hard, but I know I've learned my lesson.

More on that later . . .

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

I made pink, heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast.

Some of them turned out all right, others, well, it was a good effort.

Daddy gave me a bag full of cookies 'n cream kisses.

Each kiss had a little positive affirmation for me to say 5 times daily.

I was so happy he did something for me.

I gave him 2 chocolate candy bars, a scented bath bar and a card.

I love this Prince Charming of mine.

He is such a good man!

Last Saturday, I had had it with my kids.

I didn't treat them with the respect they deserved and I regret it.

Because of my undesirable actions towards them, I was the one who went without privileges this week.

I had to go without electronics and treats for 5 days.

I couldn't blog, facebook, check e-mail or use the computer, Ipad or laptop.

I couldn't have desserts or ANY sweet treat or candy.

I craved my sweets so much the first 3 days.

I realized how much time I waste checking facebook and have made a goal to spend only 30 minutes a day checking e-mail, facebooking and reading others blogs.

I also decided that I don't need to eat as many sweets as I do and have decided to limit those to just desserts or treats others may offer.

So I learned a few good things by losing privileges.

But what I really learned, I learned through repenting.

I love my children and know they are precious in God's eyes.

They are His children and I will strive to treat them the way He wants me too.

Sometimes my calling as a mother is overwhelming at times, but "With God, all things are possible."

Mistakes

I am grateful for the atonement and a loving Heavenly Father who is there for us when we make mistakes.

Tonight I made a mistake I am not proud of.

I blew up at my kids and sent them all to bed.

I was the harshest with Jaden.

I wanted to justify everything I did with all the reasons why it was okay, but I was in the wrong.

I hope a good nights sleep will help me see things more clearly in the morning, and that I can repent and make restitution with my children.

Cake Auction

Our ward did a spaghetti dinner and cake auction to raise money for the Young Women's and their girls' camp.

Each of the Young Women went around and sold tickets for the dinner and made a cake to sell.

Joyanne made a Strawberry Cheesecake with her Dad's help.

It sold for $65.00.

The most expensive cake sold for $115.00.

James had fun looking for his friends. 

Noah got pinned down and tickled.

He liked that. 

Grant ended up with a very wet shirt after playing with the drinking fountain for a while. 

Three of Joyanne's friends came over after for a late night.

Mexican train was the game of choice. 

Let the happy times roll!

Down Days

I've been down sick the last 2 days.

And a little sad too.

Not sure why.

My kids bring me joy and I am so grateful to have them.

Noah loves to find a corner somewhere and read, hoping no one will find him or bother him.

I love these 2 crazy, wild boys.

They run around together and play all day.

They love me to chase them and tickle them. :)



My life is very busy at times, filled with good things like my church callings, improving my talents, caring for my home and family, and doing preschool.

But even with all that, the routine and monotony of it all is sometimes hard.

The hard things bring us joy when we are doing what is best with our life, not just doing what is good and better.

I'm grateful Heavenly Father is always there to hear our prayers and comfort us.

I truly believe the Lord will give us what we righteously desire as long as it's His will.

Games and Migraines

Our family LOVES games.

That is one way we spend quality time together.

Daddy bought the game "Blokus" today.

The kids had fun playing with Daddy.

Me  . . . I got my Monday migraine.

I seem to get one every Monday, and sometimes Wednesday and Friday too.

I am pretty sure I get them because I exercise.

I wish I knew how to NOT get them, but they come.

The times when I don't exercise, I don't get them.

Tonight's migraine is almost bad enough to make me want to not exercise anymore. :(

Lily's Baby Blessing

I once was a little girl

who was afraid of the dark

but then I had a dream

and along came a shark

The shark was in the sea

and he had his eyes set on me

I was surfing on the water

and dreaming of harry potter

The water was full of waves

and was the latest of craves

The sun burned into my back

and it seemed to creep into every crack

I could be out here all day

I didn't need a job that would pay

My parents gave me money

all I did is talk sweet and funny

But then the shark came and bit me

He bit me right in the knee

I didnt know what to do

so ....well gottta go

Written by Daddy Bills while I was tucking in the kids.

The day was very special to see my neice, Lily, get blessed.

Her dad blessed her and it was a sweet blessing.

She looked beautiful all in white.

I loved holding her this weekend.

We had so much fun at my sister's home and she was such a good host.